Wearable makeup shielding apparatus

ABSTRACT

A wearable shielding apparatus for protecting a wearer&#39;s clothing or body from spills and stray propellants while cosmetics are applied. The wearable shielding apparatus comprises a substantially rectangular bib structure, two flaps defined by a “U” shaped cutout opening in the top of the bib structure, a retaining hook in the bottom of the “U” shaped cutout opening and a front pocket. The flaps each include a weighted portion and are adapted to be draped over a user&#39;s shoulders while the bottom of the “U” shaped cutout opening comfortably engages the front of a wearer&#39;s neck. The front pocket is adapted to hold cosmetic application tools such as brushes when the wearable shielding apparatus is in use. When not in use, the retaining hook allows the wearable shielding apparatus to be hung on a wall hook or other mounting structure for storage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to grooming accessories and, more particularly, to a wearable structure to protect clothing while applying cosmetics.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Painting the face and body has a history which dates back at least 10,000 years. To this day, it is well known that many people, particularly women, regularly apply makeup, hairspray and other cosmetics as a part of both regular and special occasion grooming The process of applying such cosmetics often includes application techniques which include the use of containers of powders or liquids and applicators as well as sprays or other propellant systems. A problem which is created by common application techniques is that a person's clothing may become soiled or messy from spills or stray propellants during the process of applying cosmetics. Thus, there remains a need for a wearable shielding apparatus which would protect an individual's clothing while cosmetics are applied to the face and head of the person. It would be helpful if such a wearable shielding apparatus was adapted to automatically remain in position on a wearer. It would be additionally desirable for such a wearable shielding apparatus to be easily storable when not in use.

The Applicant's invention described herein provides for a wearable shielding apparatus which would protect an individual's clothing from spills and stray propellants while cosmetics are applied. The primary components of Applicant's wearable shielding apparatus are a bib structure, two weighted tabs disposed in the bib structure, and a retaining hook. When in operation, the can be placed around the neck and over the torso of a user and automatically remain in place on the user as a removable fixed cover for the user's clothing. As a result, many of the problems which arise in the cosmetic application process are removed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A wearable shielding apparatus for protecting a wearer's clothing or body from spills and stray propellants while cosmetics are applied. The wearable shielding apparatus comprises a substantially rectangular bib structure to provide a means for shielding, two flaps defined by a “U” shaped cutout opening in the top of the bib structure, a retaining hook in the bottom of the “U” shaped cutout opening and a front pocket. The flaps, which each include a weighted portion, are adapted to be draped over a user's shoulders when the wearable shielding apparatus is in use and the bottom of the “U” shaped cutout opening is sized and adapted to comfortably engage the front of a wearer's neck. The weighted portion of the flaps adds downward force by way of gravity on each flap when it is draped over the shoulder of a wearer so as to provide a means for retaining. In this manner, when in use, constant pressure in a direction down the wearer's back is placed on the flaps so as to keep the bib structure in the proper position for optimal shielding on the wearer.

When not in use, the retaining hook allows the wearable shielding apparatus to be hung on a wall hook or other mounting structure for storage. In this manner the retaining hook provides a means for hanging.

The front pocket is adapted to hold cosmetic application tools such as brushes so as to provide a means for storing.

It is an object of this invention to provide a wearable shielding apparatus which would protect an individual's clothing while cosmetics are applied to the face and head of the person.

It is another object of this invention to provide a wearable shielding apparatus adapted to automatically remain in position on a wearer.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a wearable shielding apparatus to be easily storable when not in use.

These and other objects will be apparent to one of skill in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of wearable shielding apparatus built in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of wearable shielding apparatus built in accordance with the present invention having a print design.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and in particular FIGS. 1 and 2, a wearable shielding apparatus 10 is shown having a substantially rectangular bib structure 11 and a retaining hook 12. The bib structure 11 includes a “U” shaped cutout opening 13 which, by extending downward into the body of the bib structure 11, defines two mirror image flaps 14, disposed on opposing sides of said “U” shaped cutout opening 13. The flaps 14 are adapted to be draped over a user's shoulders when the wearable shielding apparatus is in use. In this regard, the bottom of the “U” shaped cutout opening 13 is sized and adapted to comfortably engage the front of a wearer's neck.

The mirror image flaps 14 each include a weighted portion 14 a. The weighted portion is configured to add downward force by way of gravity on each flap 14 when it is draped over the shoulder of a wearer. Such force provides for the constant maintenance of pressure on the flaps 14 acting in a direction down the wearer's back and corresponding pressure acting in a direction into the wearer's neck by the bottom of the “U” shaped cutout opening 13. This pressure acts to keep the bib structure 11 in the proper position for optimal shielding on the wearer.

The retaining hook 12 is disposed at bottom of the “U” shaped cutout opening 13. The retaining hook 12 is adapted to hold the weight of the wearable shielding apparatus 10 when retaining hook 12 is placed on a conventional wall hook or other elongated mounting structure. In this manner, when the wearable shielding apparatus 10 is not in use, it can be hung on a wall hook or other mounting structure for storage.

The bib structure 11 additionally includes a front pocket 15 which is adapted to hold cosmetic application tools such as brushes. In one embodiment, a front weight is removably disposed inside the front pocket 15. This front weight can be used to assist in holding the bib structure 11 in place when there are no tools in the pocket. It is understood, however, that the total weight of the front weight (when in use) and the tools in the front pocket 15 cannot equal or exceed the combined weight of the two weighted portions 14 a.

In the preferred embodiment, the wearable shielding apparatus 10 is made of an oil cloth which measures approximately twenty-four inches vertically from the tip of the flaps 14 to the bottom of the front pocket 15 and fourteen inches horizontally.

In an alternate embodiment, the weight the two weighted portions 14 a can be selectively adjusted by adding or removing weight. In this embodiment, the flaps 14 include a closure which can be selectively opened to allow the addition or removal of weighted structures.

The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A wearable makeup shielding apparatus for protecting a wearer's while cosmetics are applied, comprising: a bib structure having a body with substantially rectangular profile with a top edge and a bottom edge and a “U” shaped cutout opening extending downward from the top edge into said body, wherein the bottom of said U” shaped cutout opening is sized and adapted to receive the neck of a wearer of the wearable makeup shielding apparatus; two mirror image flaps on said bib structure, wherein said flaps are defined by the body material on either side of the “U” shaped cutout opening; and wherein each flap includes a weighted portion which is located on the portion of the flap furthest from the bottom edge of said bib structure.
 2. The wearable makeup shielding apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising a retaining hook disposed on said body.
 3. The wearable makeup shielding apparatus of claim 2, wherein said retaining hook is disposed on the bottom of said U” shaped cutout opening.
 4. The wearable makeup shielding apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising a front pocket disposed on said bib structure.
 5. The wearable makeup shielding apparatus of claim 4, wherein said front pocket extends up from the bottom surface of said bib structure.
 6. The wearable makeup shielding apparatus of claim 1, wherein weight can be added or removed from the weighted portion.
 7. The wearable makeup shielding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the horizontal length of said bib structure is no more than three fifths of the vertical length of said bib structure.
 8. A wearable makeup shielding apparatus for protecting a wearer's while cosmetics are applied, comprising: a means for shielding; and a means for retaining.
 9. The wearable makeup shielding apparatus of claim 8, additionally comprising a means for hanging.
 10. The wearable makeup shielding apparatus of claim 8, additionally comprising a means for storing. 